August 2011

Hi to all you riders out there.

Yesterday saw the last guided ride for 2011 taking place. Twelve riders set off for Ellesmere, place of riding heaven! As it turned out all riders were on Yamaha’s, maybe a fitting tribute to Yamaha Distributors and their dealers for their support over the past year.

WR’s, 250’s and 450’s 2 stroke, 125’s and 250’s and also 4 stroke 250’s were represented. Steve and Brad both had 2012 model YZ’s and had us all drooling at these awesome machines. The group left at 08h45, full of excitement and energy. They headed off to “Cell Phone Tower”, the first challenge of the day.

The group waiting just before Cell Phone Tower.

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From here the real riding begins….

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Awesome bush riding (Here is Craig on his first ever ride on 2 wheels – welcome to the club!) and fantastic fire breaks to test your skills on.

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The picture to the right is of “The Thompson Twins”, a short steep up hill just after we cross the Ifafa River.

Some made heavy weather of the hill while some riders just had to show off!

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From L to R: Jason Steve Kevin Darryn Brad Johan Kevin Errol Greg Alec and Peter. (Craig was behind the camera.) The group at our usual photo spot on Ellesmere.

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A great panoramic view of Ellesmere and the surrounding countryside.

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Fire breaks and gum plantations as far as you can see. Where better to spend your Saturday? I will let the next few pictures speak for themselves.

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Kevin Mitchell riding on Fairfield boundary. Below we have Greg and Peter tackling two nice sections. Peter on the right is riding No 17 the latest route to be open while Greg on the left climbs out of a mud hole in style.

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Darryn on Thompson’s Test. – A rare picture of the first section of “69”.

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Jason blasting his way up through the rocks at the end of “69”. An eagerly awaited lunch was enjoyed at the top of “69” and from there we moved on to Devil’s Drop.

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I had to put this picture in just to show that I also Gertie from time to time, much to Darryn Mitchell’s amusement. From there it was on to Misfire. Johan was sure he was going to get up at 110km per hour.

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It wasn’t long until both Peter and Darryn were fighting over Gertie on our famous Ifafa Cliffs. I am sure it the lunch that makes this hill so difficult and has riders calling it quits and heading for home and an appointment with Mr Miller!

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We arrived home at 16h00, after a very hot but enjoyable ride. And now we close Ellesmere until April 2012.

If you want to enjoy a guided ride in this piece of paradise you had better book now.